As soon as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled his draft energy plan for the state in October heating oil dealers were up in arms over its assumption that expansion of natural gas would save consumers money. However, one energy expert and lawyer says the energy plan actually says the opposite.

"The departments analysis clearly indicates that a large portion of the proposed expansion would cost more than it would save," N. Jonathan Peress, vice president and director of the Clean Energy and Climate Change Program for the Conservation Law Foundation, said Friday.

"If you deploy the energy efficiency supported by the draft strategy then the cost of natural gas expansion further outweigh the benefits," Peress added.